Demitri’s Feast Summer Grill For Dinner

For fans of the Feast, you’ll be glad to know they’re serving a summer grill for dinner until season’s end, with an ouzo affogato by the boys at Der Raum.

Photography: Ariele Hoffman

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Photography: Ariele Hoffman

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Photography: Ariele Hoffman

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Published on 21 February 2012

by Grace Taylor

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Richmond favourite, Demitri’s Feast is keeping its doors open a little later at the moment, providing an evening alternative to Swan Street diners and devotees of the heaving weekend cafe. In true Mediterranean style, owner Jim Karabagias (Demitri) is putting on a summer grill, available Thursday to Saturday nights until the end of daylight savings, making the most of the last mild evenings of the season. Seating in the open shop front or under the trailing tomato plants in the courtyard makes for a perfect way to see summer out.

Inspired by the ouzeri taverns of Greece, customers select items from the display, which are then cooked to order on the grill by the man himself. Continuing his commitment to fresh, seasonal and organic produce, Karabagias sources many ingredients from his own Richmond garden. “I have 53 tomato plants, zucchinis, eggplant, fresh herbs,” he says. “My parents have to look after it for me!”

Fish supplied on the day serves as the basis of the mezze-style affair, which also features house-made dips, ‘kalamakia’ (skewers of free range pork, chicken and marinated lamb) and a selection of summer salads, including Karabagias’s specialty summer tomato dish. “My fish guy just brings me whatever’s best on the day,” he says. “Last week it was garfish from Mornington, Moreton Bay bugs, local flathead, long line snapper, Hervey Bay scallops, blue eye and north Queensland king prawns.”

The concept is simple, the produce is fresh and locally sourced and the menu is a combination of old Greek traditions reinterpreted in Karabagias’s signature style. It’s a style well-seasoned with another Greek staple, ouzo. So to finish, the boys around the corner at Der Raum have created a Greek coffee and ouzo affogato. This is one for the Greek in all of us, but for those less enamoured by the aniseed-flavoured liquor, there’s also Jock’s sorbet for dessert.

For fans of the Feast, this is a welcome addition to the local food scene and unsurprisingly it has experienced an overwhelming response. Diners are encouraged to plan ahead and arrive early as seating is limited and the popular eatery is quick to fill.